In a heartbreaking turn of events, pilot Ivan Andaur, aged 56, collapsed and tragically passed away while in the toilet onboard a Boeing 787 flight from Miami to Santiago, Chile. There were reportedly 271 passengers on the flight. Andaur was the captain of flight LA505 when he fell ill during the journey. In response, his co-pilots executed an emergency landing at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.
Paramedics swiftly boarded the aircraft to provide medical assistance to Andaur, yet despite their efforts, he was pronounced deceased. A nurse known as Isadora, who was on the flight, described the ordeal. Alongside another nurse and two doctors, they attempted to revive Andaur as he showed symptoms indicative of cardiac arrest. Despite their efforts, Isadora revealed that they lacked the necessary supplies to perform effective resuscitation.
Isadora emphasized the need for improved protocols and resources in the event of onboard medical emergencies. She said, “Unfortunately, we did not have the necessary or sufficient supplies to perform a good resuscitation. LATAM needs to improve the issue of protocol in case of health and medical emergencies like this where lives can be saved but the resources are needed.”
The incident led to an unplanned landing in Panama, disrupting the flight’s course. A female passenger recounted that after around 40 minutes into the flight, one of the co-pilots requested medical assistance. The specifics of the incident remained unclear to passengers. However, it was known that a flight attendant sought any passengers carrying items required by individuals reliant on insulin.
After landing in Panama, the plane remained at the gate for approximately 30 minutes before the airline announced the cancellation of the flight. Passengers were subsequently accommodated in local hotels while awaiting further information. The journey eventually resumed on the afternoon of the following Tuesday.
Ivan Andaur had a long-standing career, initially serving in Chile’s Air Force before joining LATAM, where he had been employed for 25 years. He was remembered as a dedicated and committed professional. Andaur had experienced personal loss in the past, as his wife Veronica passed away in 2017. He leaves behind a daughter named Sofia.
Colleagues and peers expressed their condolences for Andaur’s passing. Fellow pilot Paula Mandini, a captain at Sky Airline, posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, remembering the moments shared with Andaur. The airline, LATAM, also conveyed its deep sorrow at the loss and extended its condolences to Andaur’s family, acknowledging his immense dedication, professionalism, and valuable contribution over the course of his career.
